Forming device



Patented Nov. 26, 1940 PAT E T 2,222,910 roRMrNG DEVICE Millard B.Lucker, St. Joseph, Mich., assigner to Auto Specialties ManufacturingCompany, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June13, 1938, Serial No. 213,378

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a ram or power unit for use as a repairor forming device and more particularly to a unit adopted forstraightening and repairing deformed portions of automotive bodies,frames and the like.

The present invention comprehends the provision of a forming unitwherein force is applied between relatively movable parts through theagency of an actuating cam and a lever. More specifically the presentinvention comprehends a unit as above comprising a housing or casinghaving a plunger or relatively movable bar centrally thereof, relativemovement of the bar being effected at a mechanical advantage by means ofthe actuating cam directly operated by a lever, the bar and housingbeing adapted to receive Various suitable accessories for applying theresultant pushing and pulling stresses in a predetermined manner. Indevices of this class the stresses are normally applied and created bymanual control through the intervening agency of means, such ashydraulic controls, gears and threaded advancingmeans, with the resultthat the final degree of movement and the force applied is onlyindirectly under the control of the operator.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide astructureas above wherein the cam is actuated longitudinally of the axisof the bar or plunger while being locked thereto by means of a leverwhich is manually or otherwise actuated and, as a result, the degree ofmovement and force applied is directly under the control of theoperatorand provides for accurate 35 forming of the work.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a formingunit as above wherein the housing is substantially symmetricallyarranged at either end and comprises a bar extending 40 axiallytherethrough and capable of protruding at either end so thatl the lengthof the bar is not limited by the structure of the housing whereby thebar employed may be of any desired length and may cooperate withsuitable housing attachments to apply forming stresses at any desiredpoint and through various lengths of travel.

The present invention comprehends further the provision of a formingunit as above wherein the central bar comprises an ordinary length ofbar material free from any special configuration and wherein the entireunit comprises a structure wherein there are no hydraulic controls,ratchets, rotatable parts or other elements requiring lubrication.

4A yet additional object of the present invention is to provide a newand simplified ram structure, as above, having a housing formed of asingle, integral piecev of metal and being generally axially symmetricalwith attachment 5 means at both ends for securing thereto accessories,such as housing extensions, and for supplying and forming tools so'thatthe said accessories are interchangeably attachable with either end ofthe housing for increasing the utility 10 thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a forming ramunit, as above, having a housing wherein the opposite attachment meansfor theaccessories comprises sleeve portions on l5 either end of thehousing with internal threaded portions or other attachment meanssurrounding y but spaced from the bar, the sleeve portions furtherincluding outer attaching surfaces for positioning and securing ateither end, accessories 20 formed to engage thereabout.

The present invention yet more specifically comprehends the provision ofa power unit having an integral housing substantially fully en-A closedand free from apertures tending to weaken 25 the structure except forapertures permitting the passage of the central bar and a controlaperture permitting access to the cam operating means.

A further object of the present invention consists in the provision of ahousing unit, such as- 30 the above, wherein an actuating cam ispivotally or tiltably arranged within the housing and has a projectingportion engaging within an interior d recess in the housing formed byconfigurating the housing outwardly without providing an aperture, as aresult of which the housing forms a substantially complete enclosure andis free from structurally weakened portions.

Numerous other objects and advantages will more fully appear during thecourse and progress o of the following specication.

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through' a forming unit constructedin accordance with the present invention.

Figure. 2. is a side elevational view of a unit similar to that shown inFigure 1 but having the parts thereof rearranged.

Figures 3.and 4 are side elevational views of the above unit modified bythe attachment of further forming accessories.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional line 5-5 in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Figure 4.

Referring more specifically to the drawing 0 view taken on the 5whereinthe present invention is disclosed more in detail, Figure 1 showsa preferred structure arranged in accordance with the present inventionandl comprising a central bar or plunger I0 which, in the embodimentshown, is cylindrical in form but which may comprise a varied crosssection, such, for example, as that provided by'a hexagonal bar or otherpolygonal shape. Attention is, moreover, directed to the fact that thebar I0 is devoid of any special coniiguration and has plain, inwardlyformed end portions.

Mounted on the bar I0 is; an integral housing I2. It will be noted thatthe housing I2 is formed of a single, integral piece of metal providinga substantially complete enclosure and having a central portion I4 whichis generally cylindrical in configuration.' The cylindrical, centralbody portion I4 is partially divided by a transverse, inwardly extendingweb I6 providing a partition but which is apertured to permit freepassage of the bar I0.

Attention is further directed to the fact that the central body portionI4 is free from apertures except for that indicated by the referencenumeral I8 :provided at the upper side of the housing, as viewed inFigure 1. This aperture is rectangular and elongated in form and isdefined by the parallel, outwardly projecting flanges 20 and thetransversely extending end walls or flanges 22 and 24, respectively,which are integrally joined therewith.

The central, cylindrical body portion I4 of the housing at either endtapers conically inwardly toward the bar IIll as at'26 and each conicalportion terminates in the cylindrical sleeve portions 28. It is to benoted that at the point of `juncture between the tapering conicalportion 26 and the sleeve 28, the housing is provided withl short,integrally projecting flanges 30 which are apertured to a diametercorresponding to that of the bar I0. In other words, the inwardlyextending flanges 30 provide bearing portions in which the bar I0 isslidably mounted and positioned and which prevent lateral tiltingbetween the housing and the bar. More speciiically, the housing then ismounted slidably upon the bar III for movement relatively with respectto the longitudinal axis thereof.

' The actuating means interiorly of the housing comprises an actuatingcam 32 disposed in the portion or chamber of the housing existingbetween the central, inwardly projecting flange or partition I6 and therighthand flange 30, as

` viewed in Figure 1. 'I'he actuating and holding mechanism employed inthe present device is substantially ridentical in character with thatshown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 184,174, filed January10, 1938, as well as other applications.

More particularly the cam 32 is a washer-like element completelyencircling the bar I0 and being provided with opposite gripping jaws orportions 34 and 36, which'portions, by suitable processing, as set forthin certain of my prior co-pending applications, are offset inwardlytoward the central plane of the cam whereby a relatively slight pivotalor tilting movement of the cam will effect a relatively quick grippingor releasing action between the portions 34 and 36 'and the surface ofthe bar-lo.

The cam 32 is provided with an outwardly projecting toe or lug 3'I onone surface engaging one side of the central flange or partition I6 andforced thereagainst through the agency of a compression spring 38. Aprojecting portion 4l) gear teeth, as is clearly shown in Figure 1.

A lever actuator 42 extends through the aperture I8 in the wall of thehousing I4 to engage the projecting gear tooth portion of the cam member32 and has an end configuration as at 44 providing a recess ofcorresponding involute gear tooth formation for opposite interengagementwith the portion 40. member 42 is pivotally mounted in the housing bymeans of a pivot pin 46 passing through the opposed side Walls orflanges 20 and held in position therein by upset portions (not shown).

A stick handle is adapted to be inserted into the end of the leveractuator in known manner and it will be apparent from this disclosurethat, upon actuation of the stick handle to rotate the lever actuator 42about its pivot 46, the cam member 32 will be engaged and movedrelatively toV the housing. Thus',

A assuming the lever actuator 42 to be moved in a counter-clockwisedirection, the projecting gear tooth portion 40 of the cam 32 will beengaged and moved to the bar engaging edges 34 and 36 to lock with' theAsurface of the bar and move it to the right with respect to the housing.When the lever actuator is returned to the position shown, the cam isreturned to its leftmost position through the agency of the lever andthe spring 38 without moving the bar to the left.

A holding cam 48 is provided for the purpose of preventing retrogrademovement of the bar with respect to the housing and is congurated withgripping or locking portions 50 and 52, configurated substantiallyidentically with those hitherto described. The holding cam is providedwith oppositely projecting portions 54 and 56. Attention is particularlydirected to the fact ly tilted so that the gripping edges 50 'and 52lock with'the bar,

In other words, the recess 58, and particularly the shoulder 64 thereof,provides a positioning means or fulcrum with respect to which the cam isslightly inclined. The bar I0 thus cannot be moved in a lefthanddirection with respect to the housing unless the opposite, projectingportion or lug 56 of the cam 48 is moved inl a righthand direction aboutthe pivot or fulcrum to release the interlocking edges or grippingportions.

Thus, the holding and actuating means in the housing is adapted to causecontrolled relative movement between the bar and the housing undercontrolled force.

The present invention comprehends the utilization of this force byapplication to suitable forming and shaping tools or accessories and tothis end the cylindrical sleeve portions at either end of the housingare interiorly configurated with screw threads 66. Attention isspecifically directed to the fact that the threads 66 and, ac-

2,222,910. cordingly, the inner surfaces of the sleeve-like sections 28are spaced substantially from the surface of the bar lll whereby theyare adapted to receive and rigidly engage a tubular member, such as thatindicated in Figure 1 by the reference numeral 68.

This tubular accessory 68 has a threaded end portion which may besecurely interengaged with the ,threads 66, as shown in Figure l, and,when in the position shown, provides an extension for the housing whilepermitting the bar to pass freely centrally thereof. At the other end ofthe tubular extension 68 is threadedly mounted a forming member 10comprising a projecting finger 12. A correspondingly shaped formingmember 'I4 having an identical finger 12 is coniigurated with a recessi6 adapted to Aengage over the cylindrical end of the bar I0.

The device described in detail above may be used by inserting the ngerportions 'l2 between opposed parts of members which it is desired toform by spreading apart. Actuation of the lever actuator 42 in themanner above described will progressively cause the fitting 14 to bemoved to the right with respect to the fitting 'lll to produce a desiredaction.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the extension member68 maybe readily unscrewed from the housing and, together with theattachment member 10, attached to the 0pposite end of the housing bythreading into the sleeve on the other end thereof. 'Ihus the utility ofthe'device is greatly increased by permitting application to formingoperations wherein the parts to be formedare either .widely or closelyspaced. So also' the extension 68 may be of any desired length or form.

Another use ofthe present preferred power unit is shown in Figure 2wherein the forming accessory 10 is mounted upon the lefthand end of thehousing through the agency of a nipple 18. It is important to note that,not only may the forming portions 'l2 be given a wide range of operativespacing by use of the present housing, but the assembly may be soarranged as to apply the resultant forces to the unit in a preferredmanner. Thus, for example, the attaching means 68, as shown in Figure l,will normally be under the iniiuence of a tensile stress whereas, usingthe arrangment shown I in Figure 2, the nipple 18 will be undercompression with the excessive stresses substantially removed from thethreads. f

There is shown in Figure 3 a yet further arrangement of the presentpreferredstructure, having the tubular extension member 68 threaded inthe upper sleeve 28 with a further rigid extension on the housingprovided by the fitting 70 on the lower end thereof. The tubularextension 68 has secured thereon a pedestal fitting 80 adapted to bearagainst any desired means to be formed. The lower end of the bar l0 isprovided with a further pedestal fitting or mounting 82.

84 mounted on the upper end thereof through the agency of a central bore86, Figure 6, of corresponding dimension to the sleeve portion 28 andadapted to fit securely thereabout. Set screw means 88 provides forsecure interlocking with the housing.

'I'he yoke member 84 is provided with apertures 90 communicating withrelatively narrow slots 92 adapted to receive a chain, such as thatindicated by the reference numeral 94. It will be apparent that, if thepedestal portion 82, positioned on the end of the rod I0, is placedflatwise against a member to be formed and the chain 94 looped about asuitable bracing or supporting member, actuation of the power unit willcause the force applying tting 82 to move downwardly, as viewed in thefigure, with respect to the chain. Thus, the member to be formed will bemoved with respect to the chain until it receives the desiredconfiguration.

It is particularly important to note that, when employing the powerunit, as in the immediately Vaforementioned manner, the parts cannotbecome disassembled since the forces applied are all in a directionopposite to that required for disassembly. In' other words, the forceapplied to the yoke 84 or the chain 94 tends to draw the yoke againstthe tapering conical portion of the housing whereby disengagement isimpossible. At the same time it should be noted that the yoke 84 may bemounted on the lower sleeve of the housing, as viewed in Figure 4, insuch situations where this use is desired. l

The present invention, therefore, provides a simple andI improvedforming unit having a housing adapted to be engaged by suitableextensions or accessories upon either end. Moreover, the symmetricalconfiguration of the attaching end portions of the housing provides forvthe interchangeable application of the same, equivalent or identicalaccessories to either end thereof. While there has been disclosed in theabove specication accessory attaching means comprising set screws andthreaded portions, it will be apparent that any equivalent securingmeans may be applied. 1

While the holding and actuating cams or washers' 32 and 46,respectively, have been specifically illustrated as integral unitaryelements,the present invention is not so limited but comprehendssubstitution of various equivalents. According to one preferredalternative embodiment, the locking washers or cams may each be oflaminated form or, in otherwords, comprise/or consist of a plurality ofrelatively thin plates which are separable and arranged in superposedrelationship. Such a construction is described and claimed more indetail in my co-pending application, Serial No. 195,142, filed Marchl10, 1938. i The present invention provides a power unit enclosinghousing which is extremely strong and serviceable, being vfree from allunnecessary apertures or weakened portions. Thus the only aperturesprovided are those to accommodate the bar I0 and the control means, andthe holding cam, while being normally fulcrumed with respect Yto thehousing, is neverthelessso arranged that this fulcrum is providedwithout'weakening the housing at this point.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theseveral parts without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the formherein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose ofillustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. In a device of the cla-ss described, a central control bar, a housingmounted on the bar and comprising interiorly thereof a pair of cams, thecams having diametrically opposed portions ad-apted to frictionally lockwith said bar, and means to relatively move at least one of the camswith respect to the housing to shift said bar axially of the housing,said moving means comprising a lever pivoted to the housing and adaptedto engage said one cam, the other said cam providing a holding means andhaving a pair of extensions on opposite sides thereof, said housingbeing formed outwardly fto provide a shoulder on the inner Wall surfaceWithout providing an aperture in the said wall, one of said holding camextensions engaging against said shoulder to provide a fulcrum aboutwhich the cam is adapted to pivot, and the other of saidholding camextensions serving as a release means for said cam.

2. In a forming unit of the class described, a bar and a housing mountedon the bar for slidable movement with respect thereto, said housinghaving mounted therein a pair of cams adapted to frictionally engage thebar when moved into canted position Within the housing, one of said camsbeing an operating cam for moving the housing relative to the bar andthe other of said cams being a holding cam for holding the housing andbar from movement, a lever pivoted to the housing and engageable withthe operating cam for operating it, the holding cam being provided withoppositely extending projections, a fulcrum pivot provided on thehousing against which one of said holding cam projections is adapted toengage, an opening formed in the housing through which the other of saidholding cam projectionsy is adapted to extend, spring members adapted toengage both of said cams for normally holding them in predeterminedposition, said housing being arranged axially of the bar and havingaxial end portions comprising sleeve-like extensions arranged about thebar, said sleeve-like extensions being adapted for securement to formingaccessories at either end of the housing.

3. In a forming unit of the class described, a bar and a housing mountedon the bar for slidable movement with respect thereto, said housinghaving mounted therein. a pair of cams adapted to frictionally engagethe bar when moved into canted position Within the housing, one of saidcams being an operating cam for moving the housing relative to the barand the other of said cams being a holding cam for holding the housingand bar from movement, a lever pivoted to the housing and engageablewith the operating cam for operating it, the holding cam being providedwith oppositely extending projections, a fulcrum pivot provided on thehousing against which one of said holding cam projections is adapted toengage, an opening formed in the housing through which the other of saidholding cam projections is adapted to extend, said last named holdingcam projection lying in the plane of operation of said lever andadjacent thereto, spring members encircling the bar and adapted toengage both of said cams for normally holding them in predeterminedposition, said housing being arranged axially of the bar and havingaxial end portions comprising sleeve-like extensions arranged about thebar, said sleeve-like extensions being adapted for securement to formingaccessories at either end of the housing.

4. In a forming unit of the class described, a bar member, a housingmounted on the bar member and encircling the bar member, said housingbeing mounted for relative movement longitudinally of the bar memberfandhaving therein at least one cam adapted to frictionally engage the barwhen moved intocanted position within the housing, said cam beingprovided with oppositely extending projections, a fulcrum provided onthe housing against which one of said cam projections is adapted toengage, the housing being formed with an opening through which the otherof said cam projections is adapted to extend, said last named camprojection being an operating projection for the cam, a springengageable with the cam for normally holding it in canted position infrictional gripping engagement with the b ar, the bore of said camhaving cutaway sections to decrease the thickness of said cam along thebore portion, and said housing being provided with a sleeve-likeextension arranged about the bar and spaced therefrom, said extensionbeing provided with screw threads for attachment to housing extensionmeans.

5. In a forming unit of the class described, a bar and a housing mountedon the bar for slidable movement with respect thereto, said housinghaving mounted therein a pair of cams adapted to frictionally engage thebar when moved into canted position within the housing, one of said camsbeing a holding cam and the other of said cams being an operating cam, aspring engageable with the holding 'cam for normally urging it intocanted position, a barile wall Within the housing against which theoperating cam may be engaged and held in uncanted position, a spring fornormally holdingA the operating cam in engagement with the barile wall,an operating lever engageable with the operating cam for moving itagainst the action of its associated spring, said housing being arrangedaxially of the bar and having at least one end portion comprising asleeve-like extension arranged about the bar, said sleeve-like"extension being provided with securing means adapted for the securementof forming' accessories.

6. In a forming unit of the class described, a bar and ahousing mountedon the bar for slidable movement with respect thereto, said housinghaving mounted therein at least one cam adapted to embrace andfrictionally engage the bar when moved into canted position within thehousing, said cam being a holding cam for holding the housing againstmovement 4relative to the bar when the cam is in canted position, a.spring for normally urging the cam int-o canted position, and anextension provided on the cam adapted to project radially outwardly fromthe housing, the housing being formed with an opening and a fulcrumsurface adjacent said cam extension adapted to receive an operating barwhereby to permit the bar -to be arranged Within the opening and inengagement with the fulcrum surface and the cam extension to release thecam against the action of the spring, and said housing being arrangedaxially of the bar and having at least one end portion comprising asleeve-like extension arranged about the bar, said sleeve-like extensionbeing provided with attachment means adapted for securement to formingaccessories.

MILLARD B. LUCKER.

